The 17th-century canal ring area was a revolutionary urban design that distinguished itself technically, culturally and socially from other new cities of its time. At first, quays separated different ‘‘functions’’ of the city: living, working, and logistics all had their own place. Over time, these functions blended, and the canals became cultural symbols. In 2010, the Amsterdam Canal District earned UNESCO World Heritage status, cementing its place as a historic treasure.
The UNESCO listing means protecting the past while ensuring that these canals remain a vital part of the city’s future, bringing key responsibilities and challenges for renovation projects. So, how can we meet engineering and environmental demands while respecting the historic urban area? We need to shift the role of heritage from a constraint to an enabling factor, thereby encouraging innovation that respects history while addressing contemporary and future needs.
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The protected UNESCO heritage site. The whole area is a protected cityscape; the red area is the core zone, and the grey area is the buffer zone. Picture by Gemeente Amsterdam, Cor Harteloh.
Broader urban challenges
‘The idea that heritage must remain unchanged is a misconception. Amsterdam has always evolved: its buildings, facades, and streets have continuously adapted over time. The same applies to quay walls,’ says Mirna Ashraf Ali, a PhD researcher from TU Delft specializing in urban heritage conservation.
The ‘Multifunctional Quay Walls’ (MFK) project is a great example of bridging heritage and innovation. The project aims to link quay wall maintenance to broader urban themes and transitions such as climate adaptation, biodiversity, and the energy transition. It acknowledges the multiple layers of heritage—the overlapping historical, cultural, architectural and social influences—that have shaped the canal ring area over time, visible not only in the built environment but also in intangible practices and urban planning patterns.
MFK brings together stakeholders from various fields—including policymakers, contractors, researchers, and residents—to develop integrated solutions for quay walls. This way, they can design quay walls that serve multiple functions. For example, quays can serve their original purpose while also being a place where energy can be stored, where greenery can grow, and where people can relax. The project follows a ‘Research Through Design’ methodology through which heritage can be incorporated into planning and design. This approach looks beyond technical factors, including aspects such as history, culture, and community needs, to shape better urban spaces.
Innovating for the future
‘The renovation process of quays is an opportunity to rethink urban spaces and explore and test new scenarios within their socio-cultural contexts’, Ashraf Ali explains. ‘For example, while limiting car access on quays may face resistance, it also creates the possibility of repurposing them for pedestrian use or enhancing biodiversity. Additionally, we are revisiting traditional building materials, such as the use of brick and natural stone, as well as structural elements like masonry walls, alongside essential maintenance and repair techniques, such as dredging. Beyond mobility and public space improvements, renovation also opens up opportunities for sustainable innovations, such as generating energy from water. Renovation shouldn’t mean just replication; if we’re improving Amsterdam’s infrastructure, we should ensure that it continues to evolve in a way that ensures its potential as a future heritage site as well.’
The historical importance of trees
It’s easy to picture Amsterdam’s canals as purely brick, but they’ve always had a green heart. Trees and hidden gardens along the canals have long provided shade, fresh air and space for biodiversity since the 1600s. But renovations can sometimes mean uprooting these historic trees, which poses a new challenge.
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Trees along the Canals. Picture by Boudewijn Boer.
‘During quay wall renovation, existing trees can’t always stay, as a lot of space is needed for the maintenance activities,’ explains Joris Voeten, working for MFK as a researcher in Nature-Based Solutions at Wageningen University & Research. ‘Fortunately, new quay wall renovation methods allow trees to remain where they are more often. If removal is necessary, some trees are temporarily replanted on a ‘‘tree campsite’’ and later returned, while others are replaced with young trees given more space to grow.’
‘Of course, quay wall biodiversity is more than just trees’, Voeten clarifies. ‘Restoration projects introduce floating gardens, plant-friendly grout, and cavities for bats. These are all aligned with UNESCO guidelines. Below the water’s surface, mussels serve as a natural water filter. Fish are supported by features like fish stones—hollow stones where fish can rest or lay eggs. Every detail is designed with the future in mind, ensuring the canals support biodiversity above and below the waterline. All aligned with UNESCO guidelines.’
A future city
The renovation of Amsterdam’s quay walls is an opportunity to redefine and work towards urban heritage resilience. By integrating heritage conservation, sustainability and innovation, the canals remain not just historical artefacts but become functional and future-proof urban spaces. In times of climate change and urgent urban transitions, such innovations are critical to ensure that Amsterdam remains resilient and adaptable, for generations to come.